Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of acceptance, humility, and non-attachment in understanding life and demonstrating true virtue.
Laozi's quote reflects the philosophy of Taoism, which advocates for harmony with the natural flow of life. It encourages individuals to step back from their obsessive desires and ego-driven thoughts, promoting a state of being that values nurturing and guiding others without the constraints of ownership or control, which leads to a deeper understanding of existence and true virtue.
In practice
In a meditation class, to encourage mindfulness and acceptance of the present moment.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
All the best ideas come out of the process; they come out of the work itself.
An overdose of praise is like 10 lumps of sugar in coffee; only a very few people can swallow it.
As my father taught me, and he drove home that point, he said, 'Just remember something. You don't need to tell anybody how good you are. You show them how good you are.' And he drove that home with me. So I learned early not to brag about how good I was or what I could do but let my game take that away and show them that I could play well enough.
True power comes from standing in your own truth and walking your own path.
Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.
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